The 2023 FIBA World Cup will tip off on Aug. 25 and several NBA stars will suit up for their countries.
When you're tuning into games, you may see some familiar faces that you didn't even know had ties to the country they're representing.
One example of that might be Jazz guard and former Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson, who will suit up for one of the 2023 FIBA World Cup's host countries, the Philippines.
Why is Clarkson playing for the Philippines? The Sporting News has you covered with answers below.
Why is Jordan Clarkson playing for the Philippines at FIBA World Cup 2023?
Clarkson's Filipino heritage comes from his mother's side, as his maternal grandmother was from Bacolor, Pampanga, Philippines.
"I'm proud, wear it every day. My grandma is tattooed on my heart," Clarkson said of his Filipino heritage at All-Star weekend in 2023.
He and Rockets star guard Jalen Green made NBA history during the 2021-22 season, marking the first matchup between Filipino-American players on Filipino Heritage Night when Utah hosted Houston.
Clarkson first debuted for the Philippines National Team during the 2018 Asian Games. He attempted to play for his country before then but did not meet FIBA's eligibility requirements because he did not have a Philippines passport before the age of 16.
He is now recognized as a naturalized player for the Philippines and is committed to playing for his country during the 2023 FIBA World Cup and future FIBA tournaments.
Philippines 2023 FIBA World Cup roster
Here is the Philippines' official 12-man roster for the FIBA World Cup.
| No. | Player | Position | Team |
| 10 | Rhenz Abando | G | Anyang KGC (South Korea) |
| 25 | Japeth Aguilar | F | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (Philippines) |
| 6 | Jordan Clarkson | G | Utah Jazz |
| 14 | AJ Edu | F | Toyama Grouses (Japan) |
| 15 | June Mar Fajardo | C | San Miguel Beerman (Philippines) |
| 13 | Jaime Malonzo | F | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (Philippines) |
| 17 | CJ Perez | G | San Miguel Beerman (Philippines) |
| 16 | Roger Pogoy | G | Tropang Giga (Philippines) |
| 24 | Dwight Ramos | F | Levanga Hokkaido (Japan) |
| 4 | Kiefer Ravena | G | Shiga Lakes (Japan) |
| 11 | Kai Sotto | C | Hiroshima Dragonflies (Japan) |
| 8 | Scottie Thompson | G | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (Philippines) |
Philippines 2023 FIBA World Cup group, schedule
The Philippines are one of the host nations for the 2023 FIBA World Cup and will play their Group Stage games at home. It is in Group A alongside Angola, the Dominican Republic, and Italy.
You can find the Philippines' full First Round Group Stage schedule below.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Friday, Aug. 25 | vs. Dominican Republic | 8 a.m. |
| Sunday, Aug. 27 | vs. Angola | 8 a.m. |
| Tuesday, Aug. 29 | vs. Italy | 8 a.m. |
When is the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup?
- Dates: Aug. 25-Sept. 10
- Locations: Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines
The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup will begin on Friday, Aug. 25. The group stage will take place in Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines.
The championship game will be held on Sunday, Sept. 10.
How to watch 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup: TV channels and live streams
- Dates: Aug. 25-Sept. 10
- TV channels: ESPN2
- Live stream: ESPN+ | Courtside 1891 | Sling TV
All 92 FIBA Basketball World Cup games will be available to watch on either ESPN2 or ESPN+. Basketball fans can also stream the games via Courtside 1891 or Sling TV.
Sling TV is now offering HALF OFF the first month, effective immediately. Sling base packages (Sling Orange or Sling Blue) are starting at just $20 for the first month. Sling Orange + Blue is starting at $27.50 for the first month!
